This Dr. Demento doc needs our help!

Filmmakers are hoping to raise enough money on Kickstarter to make a documentary about pioneering DJ Dr. Demento.

Several artists owe their careers to Dr. Demento. Several fans owe him for helping them escape a tough and/or boring adolescence.

Demento, also known as Barry Hansen, is perhaps the world's foremost expert on novelty songs and strange recordings. He launched The Dr. Demento Show in 1970 in Pasadena, Calif., and in 1974 it went into national syndication.

Dr. Demento is probably best known for launching the career of "Weird Al" Yankovic, and he also helped turn several novelty songs into big hits. (Where would we be without the Barnes and Barnes classic Fish Heads?

Incredibly, no one has ever made a full-length documentary about Dr. Demento ... until now. A Kickstarter for Under the Smogberry Trees promises a pretty great-sounding movie, if only fans can help fund it.

Under the Smogberry Trees has reached slightly more than half of its $100,000 goal. With only four days to go, it's in desperate need of more funding.

Dr. Demento fully endorses the flick and is participating in several of the donation incentives, which include signed items and "dinner with the Doc." If you want to learn more about him, head to his official site, drdemento.com.